Loftus-Cheek 5-1 for World Cup spot

By Mark Langdon 4:38PM 9 NOV 2017

THE absence of some of England’s biggest names has handed opportunities for those looking to push their World Cup claims and Ruben Loftus-Cheek is among those aiming to impress against Germany at Wembley.

Loftus-Cheek, 21, is on loan at the Premier League’s bottom club Crystal Palace from Chelsea and has long been seen as somebody who could push for full international honours in a variety of different midfield roles.

Gareth Southgate is rated a 5-1 shot by bet365 to select Loftus-Cheek for the World Cup, while Danny Drinkwater has been pushed out to 8-1 by Sky Bet after declining a call-up to the squad.

“I spoke to Danny earlier in the week but he feels he is not fit enough to play,” said Southgate, who was already minus the services of Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Jordan Henderson, Dele Alli and Harry Winks.

Kane, Sterling, Henderson and Alli are seen as certainties for the World Cup in Russia, while Winks is also odds-on at 4-6 but Delph is a 3-1 shot with Sky Bet.

Ireland have been pushed out to 6-4 by Paddy Power to qualify for the World Cup as they prepare to take on Denmark for a place in the finals.

Martin O’Neill received a double boost as Jeff Hendrick and Stephen Ward returned to training.

David Unsworth, 16-1 to be Everton’s next permanent manager before leading the Toffees to a 3-2 triumph over Watford on Sunday, is odds-on favourite to replace Ronald Koeman.

Betfred make Unsworth 5-6 with previous market leader Sam Allardyce drifting to 3-1 with Hills and Sean Dyche can be backed at 14-1 with Sky Bet.

Sunderland’s search for a new manager to replace Simon Grayson is ongoing with Aitor Karanka odds-on across the board to fill the Stadium of Light vacancy.

Barnsley boss Paul Heckingbottom is next on the list at 4-1 with Coral and Ally McCoist is at 10-1 with Paddy Power.

Match in Focus

11:00 TODAY SSR

Sociedad v
Levante

Home Win

Draw

Away Win

Key stats

Levante have won one of their last 14 fixtures

Expert verdict

Sociedad started the weekend as the fourth-highest scorers in La Liga and their attacking prowess can give them the advantage against fellow strugglers Levante. The free-scoring Basques were 5-0 victors at home to Deportivo in their last home league game and can produce another big performance to avoid any chat about a relegation scrap.